What are some great good-quality UK souvenirs I can get? Not magnets, keyrings etc!
Posted by MrScarletPimpernel@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 37 comments
Hello all!
I'm (M30) going to be in the UK for a few weeks for work, basically the Cotswalds (Gloucester, Chelt) and London for a few days. I love buying souvenirs but I love getting quality things while I'm in countries. So, when I was the Netherlands, I got some good quality clogs, a nice cheese slicer thing that is common there, and some a nice Dutch-made rain-jacket.
So, no slight at all on magnets and keyrings, I will be buying that kind of stuff anyway, but what are some really good, solid UK items I can bring home? Think English-made shoes, or some kind of typical UK decoration, English-made clothes, or some kind of tea that is hard to get elsewhere.
Consumables aren't as much what I'm looking for, but if you have any ideas, happy to hear those too!
From Australia if that changes things!
BigBunneh@reddit
Pint glasses from your favourite beers 😁🍻
MrScarletPimpernel@reddit (OP)
I like that very much
BigBunneh@reddit
Let us know what you end up deciding to do 😁
MrScarletPimpernel@reddit (OP)
Will do!
Crafty-Strength1626@reddit
But you only pinch the glasses from the chain pubs not the independents
BigBunneh@reddit
I've got to the point where I actually ask if I can buy a pint glass. It's not often I get turned down! I was given three once no payment needed!
Original-Classic7026@reddit
A nice Harris tweed jacket (Scotland) or else a piece of clothing from Saville Row? A Wedgwood ornament? Or some Cumbria crystal glasses/decanter?
Such_Will4099@reddit
Yorkshire tea
Alone-Sky1539@reddit
Weetabix. very rare an the world only factry am in Kettering the England premiere city
SoOverThisAlready@reddit
If you are staying in London, there are so many "British" mini gifts you can sling in your carry on.
My recommendations would be;
A mini Paddington bear from Hamleys, or a Harrods bear from Harrods.
A Burberry scarf
A macintosh raincoat
Fulton umbrella - They hold the Royal warrent from the latest queen, are really good quality and not stupid expensive (well, not all of them)
A nice tea set, including tea pot, silver spoon etc
Gin, there are so many well made British Gins, William Chase and Hendricks are some of my faves.
Also don't forget the UK is not just England. Get yourself a little Welsh dragon, some Scottish tweed or Whisky, for N.Ireland maybe some Belfast pottery. Most of these you can get in the big department stores in London.
superjeegs@reddit
Try Bourton-on-the-Water if you can, if memory serves they have a few little souvenir/gifty shops.
MrScarletPimpernel@reddit (OP)
Great tip! Thanks for that!
superjeegs@reddit
Also it’s best to go in and out of individual shops, as some of the best souvenirs were from a hardware shop for example, and they’re not likely to put anything like that outside the shop due to weather but yeah, it’s worth looking inside. Postcards, keychains and magnets. And I don’t know if someone already said but the motor museum is worth a look and they’ve got some decent souvenirs in the gift shop.
Bourton’s quite worth the visit, souvenirs aside. Bird land, museum, little model village, dragonfly maze. Nice ways to spend an afternoon and such ☺️
superjeegs@reddit
No problem! Safe travels and I sincerely hope you have a wonderful trip over here 🥰♥️
NeedleworkerBig3980@reddit
The Cotswolds Perfumery always smells amazing, but I can't afford anything in there.
yourefunny@reddit
UK is famous for it's shoes. Done great hand made dress or formal shoes. Can give you a list of you need.
Some cheese.
MrScarletPimpernel@reddit (OP)
Great tip - cheers! I probably can't afford hand made stuff - but anything ready to wear I'd be interested in!
Slightly_Woolley@reddit
if you head to the taliors on Jermyn Street in London there are some decent shirts etc at not too outrageous prices - not made to measure but still excellent quality.
Slightly_Woolley@reddit
No one thought to mention a Keep Calm and Carry On poster or similar yet?
otherwise look for a carved wooden tea caddy, or perhaps lacquered tin ones? eg https://www.royalcollectionshop.co.uk/buckingham-palace-breakfast-tea-caddy.html
Dramatic-Ad-1328@reddit
I have no idea if you can get them in Aus, but some of my American friends bought flat caps whilst over here. There is a huge range of price levels, so you can spend as much/little as you need. My hat is Harris Tweed labelled, handed down and seems to be good and well made!
MrScarletPimpernel@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the tip mate! I have a gigantic head, so I'll keep an eye out!
EconomicsPotential84@reddit
If you're looking for something quintessentially British, I'd suggest a tea set.
MrScarletPimpernel@reddit (OP)
Good idea!
UserCannotBeVerified@reddit
And some proper tea spoons
Relevant_Cancel_144@reddit
The Cotswolds Distillery is worth a visit while you're in the Cotswolds and they have lots of different locally distilled spirits. They do miniature bottles of most things which are nice as souvenirs. My wife is keen on the ginger gin, whereas I'm very partial to the different whiskeys. If you can't make it to the distillery they have a shop in Broadway, which is worth a visit to the village anyway, and about 25 minutes from Cheltenham.
MrScarletPimpernel@reddit (OP)
Excellent - cheers mate!
musicistabarista@reddit
If you make it to the distillery, also worth checking out Donnington Brewery which is vaguely in the area. It's a pretty small operation, they make lovely beers, and it's a beautiful spot on an old watermill. They also have a fridge and honesty box so you can just rock up anytime and have a beer.
AzzTheMan@reddit
I don't know what they're called, but a small figure of a lady in an oversized dress that you hide a toilet roll under.
Very retro-British
MrScarletPimpernel@reddit (OP)
I like the sound of that - thanks mate!
Bearha1r@reddit
Like this?
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/nov/07/queen-victorias-mourning-dress-among-items-in-disease-x-exhibition-museum-of-london
rising_then_falling@reddit
Linen tea towels - very British, often with nice designs, useful even with a dishwasher.
Any woollen goods, especially the classic fairisle designs and cable knit etc. Also Harris Tweed.
Branded pint glasses or beer mats. Plenty of pubs will sell you a glass if there's one you like.
polkadotska@reddit
There some great homewares and vintage posters in the London Transport Museum Shop.
Whittard teas, or pretty much any thing from Fortnum & Mason (excellent teas, biscuits and other wonderful food items).
If you're happy to splash the cash: Liberty London are famous for their unique prints, so a nice silk scarf is always great. Or a classic fragrance from Penhaligons. Or knitwear from John Smedley. Or classic British country clothing e.g. tweed from Cordings.
For shoes try Loakes, Crocket & Jones, Cheaney, Barker, or Grenson.
Maybe some classic British pottery from Wedgwood, Denby, or Burleigh.
Or some of the many local independent whisky or gin distillers, or some proper West Country cider from one of the many Gloucestershire farms.
SingerFirm1090@reddit
I concur with the London Transport Museum, though I'd recommend the mocquette handbags, wallets,scarves, etc.
If you go to the LTM, there are plenty of boutique shops around the area.
MrScarletPimpernel@reddit (OP)
Thanks! Fantastic list!
weedywet@reddit
An Aston Martin is a nice gift.
MrScarletPimpernel@reddit (OP)
I've already got a couple of them from a previous trip but I'll see if any new ones have come out...
weedywet@reddit
Seriously though, if you’re into a mod look, Sherry’s is a great clothing shop in London.
http://sherryslondon.com